Macau (MNA) – “Visitors like to come to Macau and use drones. We try to advertise the regulations for their use in buses and other locations and we’ve provided authorisations to different entities to film with drones,” the AACM head said during the second day of his Policy Address Q & A session for Transport and Public Works matters.
The answer was made to a question by legislator Iau Teng Pio, who stated during this year’s Grand Prix there was a numerous use of drones for filming and inquired Secretary for Transport and Public Works Raimundo Arrais do Rosário if regulations were put in place to control their use.
AACM regulations don’t specifically mention drones but include them as unmanned aircrafts (UAV’s).
In case where UAV’s weight exceeds seven kilograms, the operator needs authorization from the AACM, while for a UAV or model aircraft under the seven kilograms limit, this is not necessary.
UAV’s also need authorisation to fly over 30 meters above the ground surface, whithin 50 metres of protected buildings or within 100 metres of a gathering of people
Authorisation is also required for UAV’s to fly in a space within 1 kilometre of the heliport at the Hong Kong and Macau ferry terminals, the Macau International Airport and the hangar on Coloane island.
Infringements can lead to a fine of MOP2,000 to MOP20,000.
Currently, any operator wanting to use UAV’s for commercial filming purposes has to apply for permission from the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) 20 days in advance of the shooting date, with only broadcast news-filming being exempt from this regulation.
